Review : Tremonti ­- 'Dust'

One great thing about being a member of Devils Gate Media is that I get to hear music that I would otherwise have ignored. This is one of those occasions that I am delighted to be given the opportunity to review the new Tremonti album “Dust”, which will be released on the 29th April 2016.   For those few who are unaware, Mark Tremonti is known as a guitarist for Creed and Alter Bridge, and started Tremonti as a solo project in 2012. It evolved into a fully-fledged band after their first release “All I Was”. In June 2015, Tremonti released their second album “Cauterize”, and “Dust” is an obvious continuation. Mark is ably backed up by Eric Friedman (Rhythm/Lead Guitar, and backing vocals), Wolfgang Van Halen (Bass and backing vocals) and Garrett Whitlock (Drums). Some claim that Tremonti is a hybird of thrash/speed metal with melodic vocals, but I can tell you right now that they are neither. What isn’t in doubt is that it is a clear departure from what Mark has done with Creed and Alter Bridge. The songs definitely come under the banner of heavy metal. There are some great anthems which makes you want to punch the air and throw up the horns and bang that head. Tremonti himself is clearly a talented guitarist and songwriter, and he has written ten pure rock anthems worthy of airplay, and I can almost visualise the crowds singing along to each and every song at live shows. For the air guitarists like myself, there is enough riffage and soloing to ‘play’ along to, and you can almost see yourself  smashing the imaginary fretboard just like Tremonti whilst listening to “Dust”. From the opener “My Last Mistake” to the closer “Unable to See” you are in for a treat. It is really hard to pick the stand out songs as they are all brilliant, but I did take a particular shine to the title track, with it’s slow guitar picking style and husky vocal intro. The power of the song kicks in around the 40 second mark, like a power ballad except it’s not. Let’s just say it’s brilliant, and it needs to be heard to be believed. The guitar solo kicks in at the 3.30 mark and the song just grows onwards and upwards. Check it out above. “Dust” grabs your attention from the start and doesn’t let go. This is how an album should be. No three minute fillers here. Every track is a showstopper. For lovers of guitar solos, there are plenty here, along with plenty of fast-paced sections to get the head banging, and plenty of catchy choruses to sing to your heart’s content. This is an album that has everything, and I can see “Dust” being a deservedly big seller. Fans of Alter Bridge and Creed will definitely buy this album because of the Tremonti connection (and sound), but for the uninitiated, like myself, it’s a MUST buy… and you can do just that here: